3/17/14

X-men #117 - John Byrne art

X-men v1 #117, 1979 - The ongoing storyline takes a brief respite, focusing instead on Professor X's early travels to Egypt. John Byrne takes a small panel portrait of Xavier and turns it into a full splash on the following page. The technique segues from present to past in a masterful stroke. The artist draws Middle Eastern settings and later, imaginative psychic landscapes with aplomb. Interestingly, the tale also reveals the Professor's first encounter with an adolescent Storm. Other artists in this issue include Dave Cockrum and Terry Austin (cover). This is number 9 of 35 X-men issues with Byrne art and/or covers.- - - - - - - - - -"Psi War" Byrne story pencils (Terry Austin inks) 17 pages = ****